Epitrachil

The epitrachelion (Greek ἐπιτραχήλιον, "around the neck " ) is a liturgical garment of priests and bishops, Orthodox and United Eastern Churches. It is the symbol of the priesthood and corresponds to the Western stole.

Appearance

The epitrachelion is a broad band that is worn around the neck. The two ends thus depend on both shoulders on the front straight down and extend almost to the ankles. The two adjacent sides are sewn or buttoned, so it looks like a single broad band. Most of the epitrachelion is already so tailored, and not every time on and buttoned. Sometimes the droopy front is even a single piece of cloth and not made of two strips sewn together.

Usually the epitrachelion brocade cloth is made. Traditionally, seven crosses are sewn with ornaments, one in the neck and three on each side hanging down. It can be mounted instead of crosses and icons of the twelve apostles. There are very simple but also very sumptuously decorated copies.

Use

The priest carries the epitrachelion in all official acts as a priest, but not if it participates only in a religious service, for example. If he is fully clothed for the Sacred Liturgy, eigtl Divine Liturgy, he carries the epitrachelion above the stitch Arion, but under the zone and the phelonion. If a priest participate only in the service, he does not wear liturgical vestments, but creates the most epitrachelion and his Epimanikien before receiving Communion.

A bishop bears the epitrachelion above the stitch Arion, but below the zone, the jackets and the omophorion.

The deacons wear instead of Epitrachelions the Orarion

The Syrian Orthodox Hamnikho, dt " collar ", corresponds to the epitrachelion.

When you create the priest says the prayer: